Common Myths
Answers to common questions about common myths.
Questions on this page
- “If I feel well, my diabetes is not affecting my organs.”
- “A normal blood sugar means I don't need kidney or eye screening.”
- “Only people on insulin get diabetic complications.”
- “Diabetic neuropathy always causes severe pain.”
- “If my DEXA scan is normal, my fracture risk is zero.”
- “A small foot wound will heal on its own.”
- WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
“If I feel well, my diabetes is not affecting my organs.”
Not necessarily. Kidney, eye and nerve complications can develop silently.
“A normal blood sugar means I don't need kidney or eye screening.”
No. Screening remains important because complications can develop over time.
“Only people on insulin get diabetic complications.”
No. Complications are related to diabetes itself and multiple associated risk factors, not simply whether someone uses insulin.
“Diabetic neuropathy always causes severe pain.”
No. Some people have numbness or loss of sensation without pain.
“If my DEXA scan is normal, my fracture risk is zero.”
No. Fracture risk depends on several factors beyond bone density.
“A small foot wound will heal on its own.”
Not always. A diabetic foot wound can worsen rapidly, particularly when neuropathy or poor circulation is present.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
Seek specialist evaluation if you have:
- Diabetes with abnormal kidney tests
- Albumin in the urine
- Declining eGFR
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Persistent neuropathy or unexplained nerve symptoms
- Recurrent hypoglycaemia
- Difficult-to-control diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease with diabetes
- Recurrent diabetic foot problems
- Unexplained fractures or low bone density
- Diabetes with fatty liver or significant metabolic disease
- Diabetes with sexual dysfunction
- Multiple diabetes complications occurring together
The goal is not simply to treat diabetes—it is to protect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart, feet, bones and overall health.